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5 years ago the Harnas family realized that they had to improve the logistics of Harnas
in order to provide a better prognosis for the wild animals that find their way to Harnas.
They realized that transporting a sick lion or cheetah 300 km to Windhoek (the closet big
city) very often made the difference between life and death for the particular animal.
Harnas Wildlife Foundation being a non profit organization cannot afford to have an
experienced qualified vet on Harnas permanently and so very often animals have to be
taken to Windhoek. Marlice van Vuuren and her husband Dr. Rudie van Vuuren actively
started searching for a piece of land that was suitable for a new smaller wildlife
sanctuary.
Eventually in the spring of 2005 together with their good friend Chris Heunis they
bought the farm Ovuuyo, only 38 km outside of Windhoek and plans were made to start
N/a'an ku sê wildlife sanctuary and charity guest lodge. Rudie and Chris actively
became involved with Harnas and its projects 4 years ago when they together with Marlice,
who is known by her fluent Bushman tongue , started charity primary healthcare clinic
for Bushman people in the remote area of Epukiro in North-East Namibia. The wildlife
sanctuary is headed by Marlice, the Director of N/a'an ku sê. The new sanctuary will
mostly accommodate animals that cannot be put back into the wild. Animals from all over
Namibia will primarily be seen at N/a'an ku sê before they are either relocated or
sent to the original Harnas for long term rehabilitation.
It was agreed that the wildlife rehabilitation centre on Harnas should be moved closer
to Windhoek with the opportunity for developing a guest lodge where paying guests and
day visitors could come to see the African wildlife. More importantly this would create
employment opportunities for the Bushman community. In 2004 Rudie van Vuuren and Chris
Heunis purchased the Ovuuyo farm. In January 2005 they met once again with Jan Verburg
from Burgland Charitas to discuss the idea for the rehabilitation centre and lodge and
how they would only employ Bushman people to work on the farm and in the lodge in support
of their community. Jan Verburg's interest in the welfare of the Bushman had already been
shown by the investment in the successful Lifeline Clinic. As an extension to this Jan
agreed to invest N$3,500,000 towards the development of the guest lodge and first six
suites. It was also agreed that the proceeds from the lodge would be divided equally into
funding for the lifeline clinic, the wildlife rehabilitation centre, the lodge maintenance
and other projects in Africa that Jan wished to support. This being just another example
of innovative conservation. The guest lodge will open on 29th September 2007. It is
conveniently located on the Ovuuyo farm (known as N/a'an ku sê) only 42 km east of the
Namibian capital city namely, Windhoek and about 20km from the Hosea Kutako International
Airport. Although the farm is only 35 minutes drive from Windhoek there is a sense of
remoteness. The lodge has been built in a 1500 ha game camp near the Otjihase river that
cuts through the farm in summer months. The area is a natural savannah paradise with
riverine vegetation, lush grass plains and magnificent mountain views. "Hartebees",
Oryx, and Kudu roam freely on the lush vegetation. The lodge is the means to preserving
a nature-based lifestyle, away from the hustle and bustle of today's world. Every
possible precaution has been taken to minimize environmental impact. A distinctive
Architectural stile infusing a bit of luxury with Namibian sensibility creates an
aesthetic in harmony with nature. Only indigenous planting is permitted and the aim is
to tread lightly when amenities are erected. The palette of earthy colors, stone and
thatch will ensure that the suites blend into the landscape. Sensitively positioned suites
will ensure privacy and the best possible views.
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